Compound and thermoelectric conversion material

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a compound containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver as constituent elements.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a compound and a thermoelectric conversion material.

Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-073745, filed Mar. 31, 2016, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-177049, filed Sep. 9, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Thermoelectric conversion devices that utilize the Seebeck effect are able to convert thermal energy into electrical energy. In other words, by using a thermoelectric conversion device, electric power can be obtained directly from thermal energy. For example, by using a thermoelectric conversion device, the waste heat from the engine of an automobile can be recovered, and a portion of that waste heat can then be converted to electric power. For example, waste heat from a factory can be recovered, and a portion of that waste heat converted to electric power.

In recent years, from the viewpoints of suppressing the consumption of energy resources and the emission of carbon dioxide, improvements in energy efficiency continue to be demanded ever more strongly. As a result, much research is being conducted with the aim of improving the performance of thermoelectric conversion.

The thermal efficiency and output characteristics obtained from a thermoelectric conversion device are limited by the performance of the thermoelectric conversion material that constitutes the thermoelectric conversion device. Consequently, much investigation is being undertaken into improving the performance of thermoelectric conversion materials.

Examples of heat sources having a high temperature range include the waste heat from automobiles and the waste heat from factories. Because the temperature of these waste heat sources is near 500° C., investigation of thermoelectric conversion materials that operate from room temperature to near 500° C. is being actively pursued. Examples of materials that exhibit a high thermoelectric figure of merit and high output factor in the temperature region near 500° C., and also have heat resistance, include thermoelectric conversion materials containing a germanium telluride-based compound.

Here, the thermal efficiency of a thermoelectric conversion material is represented by formulas shown below. The maximum thermal efficiency η_(opt) obtainable using a thermoelectric conversion material is represented by a formula (1) shown below. Here, in formula (1) shown below, T_(H) represents the temperature at the high temperature end [units: K], T_(C) represents the temperature at the low temperature end [units: K], T_(ave) represents the average of T_(H) and T_(C) [units: K], and Z represents the average thermoelectric figure of merit [1/K] of the thermoelectric conversion material in the temperature range.

$\begin{matrix} \left\lbrack {{Numerical}\mspace{14mu} {formula}\mspace{14mu} 1} \right\rbrack & \; \\ {\eta_{opt} = {\frac{T_{H} - T_{C}}{T_{H}}\frac{\sqrt{1 + {ZT}_{ave}} - 1}{\sqrt{1 + {ZT}_{ave}} + \frac{\tau_{C}}{\tau_{H}}}}} & (1) \end{matrix}$

The thermoelectric figure of merit z [1/K] of a thermoelectric conversion material at a given temperature T is represented by a formula (2) shown below. Here, α [V/K], ρ [Ωm], and κ [W/(mK)] represent the Seebeck coefficient, the resistivity, and the thermal conductivity respectively of the thermoelectric conversion material at a given temperature T.

$\begin{matrix} \left\lbrack {{Numerical}\mspace{14mu} {formula}\mspace{14mu} 2} \right\rbrack & \; \\ {{zT} = {\frac{a^{2}}{\rho \; \kappa}T}} & (2) \end{matrix}$

A larger value for the physical property zT of the thermoelectric conversion material indicates a higher value for the maximum thermal efficiency η_(opt) obtainable by thermoelectric conversion. The average of the thermoelectric figure of merit z of the thermoelectric conversion material in the temperature range that is used is deemed the thermoelectric figure of merit Z. In order to increase the thermal efficiency, it is desirable to obtain a high thermoelectric figure of merit z across a broad temperature range.

The output factor (also known as the power factor) [W/(mK²)] is used as an indicator of the maximum output obtainable at a temperature T using a thermoelectric conversion material. The power factor is represented by a formula (3) shown below. In the formula (3) below, α [V/K] represents the Seebeck coefficient of the thermoelectric conversion material at a given temperature T, and ρ[Ωm] represents the resistivity.

$\begin{matrix} \left\lbrack {{Numerical}\mspace{14mu} {formula}\mspace{14mu} 3} \right\rbrack & \; \\ {{{Power}\mspace{14mu} {Factor}} = \frac{a^{2}}{\rho}} & (3) \end{matrix}$

A higher power factor for the thermoelectric conversion material as represented by the above formula (3) indicates a larger maximum output obtainable by thermoelectric conversion.

Examples of heat sources having a temperature range near 500° C. include the waste heat from automobiles and the waste heat from factories, and investigation of thermoelectric conversion materials that operate from room temperature to near 500° C. is being actively pursued. Examples of materials that exhibit a high thermoelectric figure of merit and high power factor in this temperature range, and also have heat resistance, include thermoelectric conversion materials containing a germanium telluride-based compound.

Patent Document 1 discloses that a thermoelectric conversion material produced by jointly grinding and mixing metal powders composed of germanium, tellurium, silver and antimony, and then performing molding and sintering by hot isostatic pressing, or produced by jointly grinding, mixing and calcining the metal powders, and then performing molding and sintering, exhibits excellent thermoelectric conversion characteristics at 700 K.

PRIOR ART LITERATURE Patent Documents

-   Patent Document 1: JP H06-169110 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

When performing thermal recovery of waste heat from automobiles and factories, and then using that waste heat as electric power, it is desirable that a large output is obtained as electric power, and that the energy efficiency is high. In order to achieve these effects, it is desirable that the compound that constitutes the thermoelectric conversion device has a high power factor and a high zT value.

The present invention has been developed in light of these circumstances, and has objects of providing a compound having a high power factor and a high zT value in the high-temperature region near 500° C., a thermoelectric conversion material containing the compound, and a method for producing the compound.

Means for Solving the Problems

As a result of intensive investigation, the inventors of the present invention developed the present invention. In other words, the present invention has the following aspects.

[1] A compound containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver as constituent elements. [2] The compound according to [1], having a carrier density of not more than 1.0×10²¹ cm⁻³. [3] The compound according to [1] or [2], represented by a chemical formula Ge_(1+a-b-c-d-e)Bi_(b)Cu_(c)Sb_(d)Ag_(e)Te (wherein −0.05≤a≤0.10, 0≤b≤0.10, 0≤c≤0.10, 0≤d≤0.20, and 0≤e≤0.20). [4] The compound according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein an intensity ratio I(Ge)/I(GeTe) between a maximum intensity I(GeTe) of an XRD peak attributable to germanium telluride and a maximum intensity I(Ge) of an XRD peak attributable to germanium metal is not more than 0.025. [5] The compound according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the longest axis of bismuth, copper, antimony or silver, which are ubiquitous within the compound, is less than 2.0 μm. [6] The compound according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the longest axes of bismuth, copper, antimony and silver, which are ubiquitous within the compound, are all less than 2.0 μm. [7] The compound according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the longest axis of crystals of bismuth, copper, antimony or silver within the compound is less than 2.0 μm. [8] The compound according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the longest axes of crystals of bismuth, copper, antimony and silver within the compound are all less than 2.0 μm. [9] A thermoelectric conversion material containing the compound according to any one of [1] to [8].

Effects of the Invention

The present invention is able to provide a compound having a high power factor and a high zT value in the high-temperature region near 500° C., a thermoelectric conversion material containing the compound, and a method for producing the compound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view schematically illustrating a thermoelectric conversion module.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the composition distribution of the compound of Example 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the composition distribution of the compound of Example 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the composition distribution of the compound of Comparative Example 1.

FIG. 5 is a series of diagrams illustrating various thermoelectric conversion property values relative to temperature for the compounds of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the basic structure of a thermoelectric conversion module.

FIG. 7 is an exploded top view of the thermoelectric conversion module.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional schematic view along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional schematic view along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9A is a diagram schematically illustrating a thermoelectric conversion device.

FIG. 9B is a diagram schematically illustrating a thermoelectric conversion device.

EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION <Compound>

The compound of the present invention is characterized by containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver as constituent elements. It is more preferable that the compound is a germanium telluride doped with bismuth, copper, antimony and silver. In other words, a compound in which bismuth, copper, antimony and silver are subjected to solid dissolution in germanium telluride, and are arranged within the crystal lattice of, or between the atoms of, the germanium telluride.

Conventional compounds composed of germanium telluride doped with silver and antimony are known to have high carrier densities. In the case of compounds used in thermoelectric conversion applications, in order to increase the Seebeck coefficient within the range in which the resistivity does not become too large, thereby increasing the output characteristics and zT, it is preferable that the carrier density is low.

In the present invention, by doping the germanium telluride with copper and bismuth in addition to silver and antimony, the carrier density can be optimized.

Accordingly, when the compound of the present invention is included as a thermoelectric conversion material, a high power factor and high zT value can be realized.

[Material Properties]

The compound in the present invention contains at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver as constituent elements.

[Carrier Density]

In the compound of the present invention, in order to increase the Seebeck coefficient within the range in which the resistivity does not become too large, thereby increasing the output characteristics and zT, the carrier density at a temperature of 10 K is preferably not more than 1.0×10²¹ cm⁻³. The carrier density is more preferably from 1.0×10¹⁹ cm⁻³ to 1.0×10²¹ cm⁻³, and even more preferably from 5.0×10¹⁹ cm⁻³ to 7.0×10²⁰ cm⁻³. In this description, the term carrier refers to electrons and positive holes. The carrier density indicates the abundance of electrons or holes in the compound per unit of volume.

For example, five-terminal Hall measurement with a physical property measurement system PPMS (manufactured by Quantum Design, Inc.) and a special-purpose DC resistance sample pack can be used for measuring the carrier density of a sample. The Hall measurement can be performed by stabilizing the sample temperature, applying a magnetic field perpendicularly to the sample surface, and measuring the Hall resistance. The Hall coefficient is calculated from the slope of the Hall resistance relative to the magnetic field, and the carrier density is then calculated from the Hall coefficient. At temperatures near room temperature, noise can sometimes cause hysteresis in the Hall resistance, and therefore measurement is preferably performed at low temperature.

In order to adjust the carrier density and adjust the phonon diffusion length to increase the thermoelectric conversion characteristics of zT and the power factor, an element besides germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver may also be added. The compound may include any one of these added elements, or may include two or more elements. The amount of each added element in the compound is, independently, typically not more than 0.2 mol, and more preferably not more than 0.1 mol, per 1 mol of tellurium within the compound. In another aspect of the present invention, the amount of each added element in the compound is, independently, preferably from 0.005 to 0.2 mol, and more preferably from 0.01 to 0.1 mol, per 1 mol of tellurium within the compound.

[Composition of the Compound]

The compound of the present invention is characterized by containing germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver within the composition.

In order to suppress segregation in the composition, and increase zT and the power factor, the compound preferably has a composition with a range represented by a chemical formula Ge_(1+a-b-c-d-e)Bi_(b)Cu_(c)Sb_(d)Ag_(e)Te, wherein −0.05≤a≤0.10, 0≤b≤0.10, 0≤c≤0.10, 0≤d≤0.20, and 0≤e≤0.20. It is more preferable that 0≤a≤0.05, 0.02≤b≤0.10, 0.02≤c≤0.10, 0.05≤d≤0.20, and 0.05≤e≤0.20. In this description, segregation refers to a state wherein, when a melt of a metal or alloy composed of a plurality of elements solidifies, a portion of the elements dispersed within the metal or alloy crystallize, and also refers to those crystals.

[Intensity Ratio of Powder X-Ray Diffraction Peaks for Compound]

The intensity ratio I(Ge)/I(GeTe) between the maximum intensity I(GeTe) of an XRD peak attributable to germanium telluride and the maximum intensity I(Ge) of an XRD peak attributable to germanium metal can be calculated from a powder X-ray diffraction pattern.

In the present invention, I(Ge)/I(GeTe) is preferably not more than 0.025. In order to obtain a high zT value and high output characteristics across a broader temperature range, I(Ge)/I(GeTe) is more preferably less than 0.015, and it is even more preferable that an XRD peak attributable to germanium metal cannot be detected, namely that I(Ge)/I(GeTe) is 0.

[Compound Crystal Structure]

The crystal structure of the compound can be analyzed, for example, based on the powder X-ray diffraction pattern obtained using a powder X-ray diffractometer. Germanium telluride is known to have two types of crystal forms, namely α-GeTe which has a rhombohedral structure of the R3m space group, and γ-GeTe which has a cubic structure of the Fm-3m space group. The compound of the present invention preferably has an α-GeTe crystal structure having a rhombohedral structure of the R3m space group. It is even more preferable that the compound of the present invention contains no γ-GeTe having a cubic structure of the Fm-3m space group, and has only the α-GeTe crystal structure having a rhombohedral structure of the R3m space group.

[Composition Distribution of Compound]

The ubiquity of the composition within the compound can be analyzed from a composition distribution diagram of a sample of the compound obtained, for example, using a scanning electron microscope (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as SEM) fitted with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as EDX). In this description, ubiquity refers to the distribution of each constituent element within the compound.

In the present invention, analysis is performed under conditions in which the composition distribution of bismuth crystals, copper crystals, antimony crystals and silver crystals of 0.2 μm or larger can be clearly identified. Conditions in which the composition distribution of bismuth crystals and copper crystals of 0.2 μm or larger can be clearly identified include the conditions described in the following examples. In this description, the “longest axis” can be calculated from the SEM image, and means the longest axis among any arbitrary axis (length) in a two-dimensional cross section of any of the ubiquitous bismuth crystals, copper crystals, antimony crystals and silver crystals that appear in the SEM image.

In the present invention, the longest axis of the bismuth crystals, copper crystals, antimony crystals and/or silver crystals which are ubiquitous within the compound is preferably less than 2.0 μm. In order to obtain a high zT value and high output characteristics across a broader temperature range, the longest axis of the bismuth crystals, copper crystals, antimony crystals and/or silver crystals which are ubiquitous within the thermoelectric conversion material is more preferably not more than 1 μm, and even more preferably 0.5 μm or less.

In another aspect of the present invention, the longest axis of the bismuth crystals, copper crystals, antimony crystals and/or silver crystals which are ubiquitous within the compound is preferably at least 0.001 μm but less than 2.0 μm. In order to obtain a high zT value and high output characteristics across a broader temperature range, the longest axis of the bismuth crystals, copper crystals, antimony crystals and/or silver crystals which are ubiquitous within the thermoelectric conversion material is more preferably at least 0.002 μm but not more than 1 μm, and even more preferably at least 0.005 μm but not more than 0.5 μm.

In other words, the compound described above is characterized by the bismuth crystals, copper crystals, antimony crystals or silver crystals existing uniformly throughout the compound, with little segregation of the elements. As a result, when the compound is included in a thermoelectric conversion material, a high power factor and zT value can be realized.

The longest axes of the bismuth crystals, the copper crystals, the antimony crystals and the silver crystals may be of the same length, or of different lengths, provided they are each less than 2.0 μm. In those cases where the longest axis differs for the bismuth crystals, the copper crystals, the antimony crystals and the silver crystals, the difference between the longest axis of the element for which the longest axis of the crystals is longest and the longest axis of the element for which the longest axis of the crystals is shortest is preferably greater than 0 μm but less than 1.0 μm, more preferably greater than 0 μm but not more than 0.5 μm, and even more preferably greater than 0 μm but not more than 0.25 μm.

[Crystal Domains]

It is preferable that the compound of the present invention has striped crystal domains within the crystals. A crystal domain refers to a region where crystals are oriented in the same direction. Crystal domains can be observed, for example, in a transmission electron microscope (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as TEM) image obtained using a TEM. In the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of striped crystal domains are observed. In this description, the width of a crystal domain refers to the width of a dark portion or a light portion observed as a stripe in the TEM image, whereas the length of a crystal domain refers to the length of the dark portion or light portion. The width of a crystal domain is shorter than the length, and the width is preferably at least 0.005 μm but not more than 1 μm. The length is preferably at least 0.05 μm, and more preferably 0.1 μm or greater. In another aspect of the present invention, the length of a crystal domain is preferably at least 0.05 μm but not more than 50 μm, and is more preferably at least 0.1 μm but not more than 20 μm.

<Thermoelectric Conversion Material>

A thermoelectric conversion material of the present invention may contain the compound of the present invention described above as a material. The compound of the present invention represents the main component, but small amounts of other additives may also be included. The amount of the first embodiment or second embodiment described above in the thermoelectric conversion material is typically from 50% to 100%, preferably from 70% to 100%, more preferably from 80% to 100%, and even more preferably from 90% to 100%. Provided the amount of the first embodiment or second embodiment in the thermoelectric conversion material falls within the above range, excellent thermoelectric conversion characteristics are displayed.

Aspects of the present invention include the thermoelectric conversion materials described below.

<1> A thermoelectric conversion material containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver as constituent elements, wherein

zT at 200° C. is at least 0.60,

zT at 300° C. is at least 1.00,

zT at 400° C. is at least 1.20, and

zT at 500° C. is at least 1.40.

<2> A thermoelectric conversion material containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver as constituent elements, wherein

a ratio P.F.(500° C.)/P.F.(300° C.) between the P.F.(500° C.) at 500° C. and the P.F.(300° C.) at 300° C. is not more than 1.05, and

a ratio zT(500° C.)/zT(300° C.) between the zT(500° C.) at 500° C. and the zT(300° C.) at 300° C. is not more than 1.40.

zT is the product of the thermoelectric figure of merit z [1/K] of the thermoelectric conversion material at a given temperature T, and the temperature T [K]. P.F. is an abbreviation for the power factor [ρW/(cmK²)] which is output factor.

Other aspects of the present invention include the thermoelectric conversion methods described below.

<1> A thermoelectric conversion method wherein thermoelectric conversion is performed by applying heat to one end of a compound containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver as constituent elements, thereby generating a temperature difference in the compound with the one end functioning as the high temperature side and the other end functioning as the low temperature side. <2> The thermoelectric conversion method according to <1>, wherein the carrier density of the compound is not more than 1.0×10²¹ cm⁻³.

The thermoelectric conversion material of the present invention is a material which contains the compound of the present invention described above, and has thermoelectric conversion properties, and is a material that is used for forming a thermoelectric conversion element provided in a thermoelectric conversion device. In this description, a thermoelectric conversion element is an element that utilizes the Seebeck effect or the like to convert thermal energy into electrical energy. A thermoelectric conversion element for which the Seebeck coefficient is positive is termed a p-type thermoelectric conversion element, and a thermoelectric conversion element for which the Seebeck coefficient is negative is termed an n-type thermoelectric conversion element. Here, thermoelectric conversion properties mean properties that convert thermal energy to electrical energy using the Seebeck effect, a thermomagnetic effect, or the spin Seebeck effect or the like.

<Thermoelectric Conversion Device>

A thermoelectric conversion device generally contains a p-type thermoelectric conversion element, an n-type thermoelectric conversion element, and metal electrodes. A thermoelectric conversion device illustrated in FIG. 9A has a p-type thermoelectric conversion element 12, an n-type thermoelectric conversion element 13, and metal electrodes 15, 16 and 17.

The thermoelectric conversion mechanism of the thermoelectric conversion device is described using FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B. In FIG. 9A, the thermoelectric conversion device 21 has the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 12, the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 13, a first metal electrode 15, a second metal electrode 16, and a third metal electrode 17. The p-type thermoelectric conversion element 12 is disposed between the first metal electrode 15 and the third metal electrode 17. The n-type thermoelectric conversion element 13 is disposed between the first metal electrode 15 and the second metal electrode 16. A heat source 41 may be disposed on the surface of the first metal electrode 15 opposite the surface that is connected to the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 12 and the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 13. A heat radiating plate 42 may be disposed on the surface of the second metal electrode 16 opposite the surface that is connected to the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 13, and the surface of the third metal electrode 17 opposite the surface that is connected to the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 12. For example, waste heat from an automobile or waste heat from a factory can be used as the heat source 41.

The heat source 41 transmits heat to the upper portions of the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 12 and the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 13 via the first metal electrode 15. On the other hand, heat from the lower portion of the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 13 is radiated from the heat radiating plate via the second metal electrode 16, and heat from the lower portion of the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 12 is radiated from the heat radiating plate via the third metal electrode 17. As a result, a temperature gradient develops between the upper portions and the lower portions of the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 12 and the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 13.

Positive holes (h+) bearing a positive charge in the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 12 move from the higher temperature upper end portion to the lower temperature lower end portion, thereby generating a thermoelectromotive force. On the other hand, electrons (e−) bearing a negative charge in the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 13 move from the higher temperature upper end portion to the lower temperature lower end portion, thereby generating a thermoelectromotive force. Because the potential differences of the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 12 and the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 13 are opposite, by electrically connecting the upper end portions of the two elements via the first metal electrode 15 as illustrated in FIG. 9A, the electromotive force between an electrode 43 and an electrode 44 becomes the sum of the thermoelectromotive force of the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 12 and the thermoelectromotive force of the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 13. In this example, the 43 side becomes the negative electrode and the 44 side becomes the positive electrode.

A thermoelectric conversion device 21′ illustrated using FIG. 9B has a similar structure to FIG. 9A, but an external load 45 is connected between an electrode 43′ and an electrode 44′. Examples of the external load 45 include a part of an electrical device, meaning a current can be provided to the electrical device. Examples of the electrical device include a battery, a capacitor, or a motor or the like.

The p-type thermoelectric conversion element and the n-type thermoelectric conversion element provided in the thermoelectric conversion device can each be obtained, for example, by mechanically processing a thermoelectric conversion material having p-type or n-type electronic properties into the desired shape.

The thermoelectric conversion material of the present invention described above can be used as the thermoelectric conversion material having p-type or n-type electronic properties. In other words, the thermoelectric conversion element may contain a processed product of the thermoelectric conversion material of the present invention.

The thermoelectric conversion element may form a layered structure, and for example, may have a layer formed from the thermoelectric conversion material of the present invention, and another layer. Examples of the other layer include a connection layer or a barrier layer.

The layer formed from the thermoelectric conversion material can be obtained by mechanically processing the compound of the present invention into a desired shape as the thermoelectric conversion material.

The thermoelectric conversion element may have a connection layer between the layer formed from the thermoelectric conversion material in the thermoelectric conversion element and a metal electrode. By including a connection layer in the thermoelectric conversion element, the thermoelectric conversion element and the metal electrode can be connected more favorably electrically and mechanically. As a result, the contact resistance between the thermoelectric conversion element and the metal electrode can be reduced. Examples of joint materials for forming the connection layer include elements that increase the carrier density, and specific examples include silver, gold, and platinum and the like. Although there are no particular limitations on the thickness of the connection layer, the thickness is preferably from 0.001 to 20 μm, and more preferably from 0.005 to 10 μm.

The thermoelectric conversion element may have a barrier layer between the layer formed from the thermoelectric conversion material in the thermoelectric conversion element and a metal electrode. By including a barrier layer, reaction caused by contact between the thermoelectric conversion material in the thermoelectric conversion element and the metal electrode can be prevented. In those cases where the thermoelectric conversion element has a connection layer described above, the thermoelectric conversion element may have a barrier layer between the layer formed from the thermoelectric conversion material and the connection layer in the thermoelectric conversion element. By including a barrier layer in the thermoelectric conversion element, reaction caused by contact between the thermoelectric conversion material and the connection layer in the thermoelectric conversion element can be prevented. Examples of the material for forming the barrier layer include elements that have the effect of preventing movement of at least one element contained in the layer formed from the thermoelectric conversion material, the connection layer or the metal electrode. Specific examples of such elements include aluminum, titanium, chromium, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, molybdenum, silver and tantalum. Although there are no particular limitations on the thickness of the barrier layer, the thickness is preferably from 0.5 to 100 μm, and more preferably from 0.1 to 50 μm.

In order to prevent reaction between the thermoelectric conversion material and gases in the environment in which the thermoelectric conversion element is placed, or prevent the diffusion of substances that may be generated from the thermoelectric conversion material, the thermoelectric conversion element may have a protective film on the surface of the layer formed from the thermoelectric conversion material that is able to contact the gases. Examples of the material for the protective film include compounds containing silicon. Although there are no particular limitations on the thickness of the protective film, the thickness is preferably from 0.5 to 100 μm, and more preferably from 1 to 50 μm.

A thermoelectric conversion module is a module formed by combining a plurality of thermoelectric conversion devices into a single unit. In other words, a thermoelectric conversion module has a plurality of thermoelectric conversion devices.

One aspect of the present invention is a thermoelectric conversion module described below.

A thermoelectric conversion module having:

a plurality of p-type thermoelectric conversion elements,

a plurality of n-type thermoelectric conversion elements, and

a plurality of metal electrodes, wherein

the plurality of p-type thermoelectric conversion elements and the plurality of n-type thermoelectric conversion elements are connected electrically in series in an alternating manner via the plurality of electrodes, and

the plurality of p-type thermoelectric conversion elements and the plurality of n-type thermoelectric conversion elements contain at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver as constituent elements.

One example of a thermoelectric conversion module is described using FIG. 1 and FIGS. 6 to 8.

As illustrated in the perspective view of FIG. 6, which shows the basic structure of the thermoelectric conversion module, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 11 are disposed in a lattice-like arrangement in the thermoelectric conversion module. Insulating plates 18 for reinforcing the thermoelectric conversion module 20 are installed on the top and bottom of the thermoelectric conversion module.

As illustrated in the exploded top view of the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG. 7, p-type thermoelectric conversion elements 12 and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements 13 are arranged in an alternating two-dimensional array in the thermoelectric conversion module 20. All of the p-type thermoelectric conversion elements 12 and the n-type thermoelectric conversion elements 13 are connected electrically in series from a lead wire 31 to a lead wire 32, as illustrated by a two-dot chain line in the figure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, which is a side view schematically illustrating the thermoelectric conversion module, and FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, which are cross-sectional views along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7, all of the p-type thermoelectric conversion elements 12 and the n-type thermoelectric conversion elements 13 in the thermoelectric conversion module 20 are connected electrically in series via metal electrodes 14. The connection illustrated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7 is one example, and although there are no particular limitations on the manner in which the elements are connected, it is preferable that all of the p-type thermoelectric conversion elements 12 and the n-type thermoelectric conversion elements 13 are connected electrically in series in an alternating manner via metal electrodes. By connecting the lead wires 31 and 32 to the metal electrodes that are connected to the p-type thermoelectric conversion element and the n-type thermoelectric conversion element that are positioned at the two ends of the plurality of electrically series-connected p-type thermoelectric conversion elements 12 and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements 13, external output can be achieved.

Conventional lead wires can be used as the above lead wires.

One aspect of the present invention is a thermoelectric conversion module illustrated in FIG. 8A, which has an insulator 19 between the p-type thermoelectric conversion elements 12 and the n-type thermoelectric conversion elements 13. By including the insulator 19, the strength of the p-type thermoelectric conversion elements 12 and the n-type thermoelectric conversion elements 13 can be reinforced, enabling the durability to be improved. From the viewpoint of the level of reinforcement, the insulator 19 preferably covers the entire side surface of the p-type thermoelectric conversion elements 12 and the n-type thermoelectric conversion elements 13.

One aspect of the present invention is a thermoelectric conversion module illustrated in FIG. 8B, which does not have an insulator 19 between the p-type thermoelectric conversion elements 12 and the n-type thermoelectric conversion elements 13. By not having the insulator 19, external loss of heat from the p-type thermoelectric conversion elements 12 and the n-type thermoelectric conversion elements 13 is suppressed, and as a result, a high thermoelectromotive force can be obtained. Examples of the above insulating plate and the above insulator include ceramic plates of alumina or aluminum nitride or the like.

As described above, because the p-type thermoelectric conversion elements and the n-type thermoelectric conversion elements in the thermoelectric conversion module are connected electrically in series, the output from the thermoelectric conversion module is a value substantially equal to the product of the output of one thermoelectric conversion element and the number of thermoelectric conversion elements used. In other words, in order to increase the output from the thermoelectric conversion module, increasing the output of each thermoelectric conversion element, or increasing the number of thermoelectric conversion elements used is effective.

As described above, because the p-type thermoelectric conversion elements and the n-type thermoelectric conversion elements are connected in an alternating arrangement, the relationship between the number (P) of p-type thermoelectric conversion elements and the number (N) of n-type thermoelectric conversion elements in the thermoelectric conversion module is typically P=N+1, P=N, or N=P+1 (wherein N and P are integers of 1 or greater).

The sum of the number of p-type thermoelectric conversion elements and the number of n-type thermoelectric conversion elements in the thermoelectric conversion module may be adjusted appropriately depending on conditions such as the size of the thermoelectric conversion module and the electromotive force required. In one aspect of the present invention, the sum of the number of p-type thermoelectric conversion elements and the number of n-type thermoelectric conversion elements in the thermoelectric conversion module is preferably from 50 to 1,000, more preferably from 50 to 500, and even more preferably from 50 to 250.

The compound and the thermoelectric conversion material of the present invention, in addition to use in conventional thermoelectric conversion devices using the Seebeck effect, can also be employed in thermoelectric conversion devices that use a thermomagnetic effect such as the Nernst effect, the Righi-Leduc effect and the Maggi-Righi-Leduc effect, or thermoelectric conversion devices that use a spin Seebeck effect based on a spin pumping effect or the inverse spin Hall effect.

[Thermoelectric Conversion Properties of Thermoelectric Conversion Material]

Indicators that can be used to show the thermoelectric conversion characteristics of the thermoelectric conversion material include zT, which is an indicator of the thermal efficiency, and the output factor (power factor), which is an indicator of the output. By using the Seebeck coefficient α [V/K], the resistivity ρ[Ωm], and the thermal conductivity κ [W/(mK)] which are the thermoelectric conversion properties at a temperature T, zT can be calculated using the formula (2) shown above, and the power factor can be calculated using the formula (3) shown above.

The present invention is able to provide a thermoelectric conversion material having a low carrier density. It is surmised that this is because the carrier density, which tends to increase when germanium telluride is doped with silver and antimony, can be reduced by additional doping with copper and bismuth, meaning the carrier density can be optimized.

Because the thermoelectric conversion material of the present invention has low carrier density, a thermoelectric conversion material having a high zT value can be provided. Further, a thermoelectric conversion material having a high power factor can be provided. Accordingly, by using the thermoelectric conversion material of the present invention, a thermoelectric conversion module having high thermal efficiency and high output characteristics can be produced.

In particular, by using the thermoelectric conversion material of the present invention, the power factor and zT can be increased not only within a specific temperature range, but across a range from room temperature to 500° C. Accordingly, by using the thermoelectric conversion material of the present invention, thermoelectric conversion of comparatively high output and high efficiency can be achieved even from low temperatures near room temperature. Even when fluctuations in the temperature of the waste heat occur due to the operating state of a device, comparatively high output and high efficiency can still be achieved.

<Method for Producing Compound>

There are no particular limitations on the method used for producing the compound of the present invention. A preferred embodiment of the method for producing the compound of the present invention is described below.

Aspects of the present invention include the methods for producing a compound described below.

<1> A method for producing a compound containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver as constituent elements, the method including:

a step of mixing raw materials containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver, and melting the raw materials by heating at 720° C. or higher, and

a step of quenching the melt by immersion in a liquid of less than 50° C.

<2> A method for producing a compound containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver as constituent elements, the method including:

a step of powdering materials containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver, and

a step of sintering the powdered material at 400° C. or higher using a plasma sintering method, by passing a pulsed electric current through the powder while compressing the powder, thereby generating electrical discharges within the powder and heating the powder.

<3> A method for producing a compound containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver as constituent elements, the method including,

a step of mixing raw materials containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver, and melting the raw materials by heating at 720° C. or higher, and

a step of quenching the melt by immersion in a liquid of less than 50° C. to obtain an ingot,

a step of powdering the ingot, and

a step of sintering the powdered material at 400° C. or higher using a plasma sintering method, by passing a pulsed electric current through the powder while compressing the powder, thereby generating electrical discharges within the powder and heating the powder.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the method for producing the compound is a method for producing a compound containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver as constituent elements, and includes a step of mixing raw materials containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver, and melting the raw materials by heating at 720° C. or higher (hereinafter referred to as “the melting step”), and a step of quenching the melt by immersion in a liquid of less than 50° C. (hereinafter referred to as “the quenching step”).

[Melting Step]

The melting step is a step of mixing raw materials containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver, and melting the raw materials by heating at 720° C. or higher.

The maximum temperature during the heating in this embodiment is 720° C. or higher. In order to melt the raw materials and improve the uniformity, heating at a temperature of 940° C. or higher that is higher than the melting point of germanium is preferable, and heating at a temperature of 1,090° C. or higher that is higher than the melting point of copper is more preferable.

In another aspect of the present invention, the maximum temperature during the heating in this embodiment is preferably from 720° C. to 1,500° C., and in order to melt the raw materials and improve the uniformity, heating at a temperature of 940° C. to 1,500° C. is more preferable, and heating at a temperature of 1,090° C. to 1,500° C. is even more preferable.

The rate of temperature increase during heating in this embodiment is preferably from 0.5 to 1,000° C./minute, and more preferably from 1 to 200° C./minute.

Further, heating is preferably performed for 0.1 to 100 hours, and more preferably for 0.5 to 20 hours.

There are no particular limitations on the melting method, and various methods may be used.

Examples of the melting method include heating using a resistance heating element, high-frequency-induced degradation, arc melting, and electron beam melting.

Examples of the crucible used include graphite, alumina, and cold crucibles, which may be used as appropriate in accordance with the heating method.

In order to prevent the raw materials described above and the ingot described below from deteriorating due to contact with the air or liquids, the raw materials and the ingot are heated, and then quenched in the subsequent quenching step, in an inert atmosphere of argon, nitrogen, or a vacuum or the like. The raw materials may be packed into an inert atmosphere ampule in advance, and then subjected to heating and cooling.

[Quenching Step]

The quenching step is performed after the aforementioned melting step of melting the mixture of raw materials containing germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver at a temperature of at least 720° C. that represents the melting point of germanium telluride, and is a step of quenching the melt by immersion in a liquid of less than 50° C., thus obtaining an ingot containing germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver.

In the quenching step in this embodiment, it is desirable that the temperature of the melt is cooled rapidly from a temperature at least as high as the melting point of the melt to a temperature of 100° C. or lower, and cooling to 100° C. or lower is preferably performed within 10 minutes. Cooling is more preferably performed within 5 minutes, and even more preferably within 1 minute.

Examples of materials that may be used as the liquid mentioned above include materials that are liquid at temperatures of 100° C. or lower, such as water, ice water, solutions containing water as the main component, liquid nitrogen and liquid air. In terms of being inexpensive and offering a high degree of safety, water, ice water, solutions containing water as the main component, and mixtures thereof are preferable.

This embodiment has the quenching step described above. It is thought that by including the quenching step, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver can be doped in a supersaturated state into the germanium telluride. As a result, it is surmised that by using this embodiment, low elemental segregation can be achieved in which the longest axis of the bismuth crystals, copper crystals, antimony crystals or silver crystals that are ubiquitous within the compound is less than 2.0 μm.

In contrast, in a conventional air cooling method, it is surmised that the bismuth, copper, antimony or silver do not dissolve in the germanium telluride matrix, resulting in precipitation of the bismuth, copper, antimony or silver that exceeds the saturated composition. If bismuth, copper, antimony or silver precipitate, then the longest axis of the bismuth crystals, copper crystals, antimony crystals or silver crystals will become 2.0 μm or greater.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of the method for producing the compound is a method for producing a compound containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver as constituent elements, and includes a step of powdering materials containing germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver (hereinafter referred to as “the powdering step”), and a step of performing sintering at 400° C. or higher using a plasma sintering method (hereinafter referred to as “the plasma sintering step”).

[Powdering Step]

The powdering step is a step of powdering materials containing germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver.

In the powdering step, an ingot containing germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver is produced, and the ingot is then crushed and powdered using a ball mill or the like. The melting step and quenching step described above can be employed as the method for producing the ingot. Although there are no particular limitations on the particle size of the powdered fine particles, the particle size is preferably not more than 150 μm.

In another aspect of the present invention, the particle size of the powdered fine particles is preferably from 0.1 μm to 150 μm, and more preferably from 0.5 μm to 100 μm.

[Plasma Sintering Step]

The plasma sintering step is a step of performing sintering at 400° C. or higher using a plasma sintering method. A discharge plasma sintering step in this embodiment is a step of passing a pulsed electric current through the powder obtained in the powdering step by powdering compounds containing germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver, while compressing the powder, thereby generating electrical discharges within the powder, and heating and sintering the sample to obtain a compound.

When the electric current is halted in the discharge plasma sintering step, heating stops and the sample cools rapidly. In order to prevent uneven distribution of the composition and enhance the thermoelectric conversion characteristics of the compound, it is preferable that heating is performed at a prescribed temperature, and the discharge is then halted and the sample cooled.

In order to prevent the above compound containing germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver from deteriorating due to contact with air, the discharge plasma sintering step is preferably performed in an inert atmosphere of argon, nitrogen, or a vacuum or the like.

The compression in the discharge plasma sintering step is performed within a range from 0 to 100 MPa. In order to obtain a compound of high density, the compression is preferably at least 10 MPa, and more preferably 30 MPa or greater. In other words, in order to obtain a compound of high density, the compression in the discharge plasma sintering step is preferably from 10 MPa to 100 MPa, and more preferably from 30 MPa to 100 MPa.

The heating temperature in the discharge plasma sintering step is preferably significantly lower than the temperature at which the compound containing germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver starts to melt, and is more preferably not higher than 650° C. A temperature of 600° C. or lower is more preferable. On the other hand, in order to promote sintering, heating is preferably performed at a comparatively high temperature, and the temperature is preferably at least 400° C. A temperature of 500° C. or higher is more preferable. In other words, the heating temperature in the discharge plasma sintering step is preferably from 400° C. to 650° C., and more preferably from 500° C. to 600° C.

The heating in the discharge plasma sintering step is preferably performed for 0.01 to 25 hours, and more preferably 0.05 to 10 hours.

This embodiment has the discharge plasma sintering step described above. It is thought that by including the discharge plasma sintering step, the sample is cooled rapidly, thus enabling supersaturated bismuth, copper, antimony and silver to be doped into the germanium telluride. Accordingly, it is surmised that by using the second embodiment of the compound of the present invention, low elemental segregation can be achieved in which the longest axis of the bismuth crystals, copper crystals, antimony crystals or silver crystals that are ubiquitous within the compound is less than 2.0 μm.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment of the method for producing the compound is a method for producing a compound containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver as constituent elements, and includes a melting step of mixing raw materials containing at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver, and melting the raw materials by heating at 720° C. or higher, a quenching step of quenching the melt by immersion in a liquid of less than 50° C. to obtain an ingot, a step of powdering the ingot, and a step of sintering the powder at 400° C. or higher using a plasma sintering method.

In this embodiment, descriptions relating to the melting step, the quenching step, the powdering step and the plasma sintering step are the same as the descriptions provided above for the melting step and the quenching step in the first embodiment, and the powdering step and the plasma sintering step in the second embodiment.

Because this embodiment combines the quenching step and the plasma sintering step, it is thought that satisfactory dissolution can be achieved without precipitation of bismuth crystals, copper crystals, antimony crystals or silver crystals.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is described below in further detail using examples. Analyses of the characteristics and structures of compounds were conducted using the following methods.

1. Seebeck Coefficient

Measurements of the Seebeck coefficient α [V/K] and the resistivity ρ[Ωm] were performed using a thermoelectric conversion characteristics evaluation device ZEM-3 (manufactured by ULVAC-RIKO, Inc.). Samples used in the measurements were cut using a diamond cutter. A typical shape for the sample was height: 6.3 mm, width: 4 mm, and depth: 1.7 mm. R-type thermocouples used for temperature measurement and voltage measurement were secured to the sample so as to contact the sample at 2.7 mm intervals along the height direction. The sample was heated to a prescribed temperature in a helium gas atmosphere (0.01 MPa). Moreover, by heating one end of the sample, a temperature difference was produced along the height direction of the sample. The temperature difference (ΔT) and the voltage difference (ΔV) between the R-type thermocouples were measured. The temperature difference (ΔT) was set to values within a range from 1 to 10° C. The voltage difference (ΔV) was measured when three different temperature differences (ΔT) were imparted to the sample. The value of the Seebeck coefficient α was calculated from the slope of the voltage difference (ΔV) relative to the temperature difference (ΔT).

2. Resistivity

In the measurement of the Seebeck coefficient using the thermoelectric conversion characteristics evaluation device ZEM-3 (manufactured by ULVAC-RIKO, Inc.), the resistivity was measured using a DC four-terminal method.

3. Power Factor

The power factor [W/(mK²)] was calculated using the above formula (3), using the measured Seebeck coefficient α [V/K] and resistivity ρ[Ωm].

4. Thermal Conductivity

The thermal conductivity κ [W/(mK)] was calculated from the thermal diffusivity λ[m²/s], the heat capacity C_(p)[J/g] and the density d[g/m³], using a formula (4) shown below.

κ=λ×C _(p) ×d  [Numerical formula 4]

Measurements of the thermal diffusivity λ, the heat capacity C_(p) and the density d were performed using the same sample. The sample used for the measurements was cut using a diamond cutter. A typical shape for the sample was 4 mm×4 mm×0.5 mm.

5. Thermal Diffusivity

A laser flash analyzer LFA457 MicroFlash (manufactured by NETZSCH-Geratebau GmbH) was used for measurement of the thermal diffusivity λ. At the time of measurement, the surface of the sample was coated black with a carbon spray “Graphite 33” (manufactured by CRC Industries Europe BVBA).

6. Heat Capacity

An EXSTAR DSC 7020 (manufactured by SII NanoTechnology Inc.) was used for measurement of the heat capacity C_(p).

7. Density

A density measurement kit (manufactured by Mettler-Toledo International Inc.) was used for measurement of the density d, with the measurement performed at 20° C. using the Archimedes method, with water as the liquid.

8. Thermoelectric Figure of Merit z

The thermoelectric figure of merit z [1/K] was calculated from the Seebeck coefficient α [V/K] at an absolute temperature T as zT, the resistivity ρ[Ωm], and the thermal conductivity κ [W/(mK)], using the above formula (2).

9. Crystal Structure Analysis

Analysis of the crystal structure was performed using a powder X-ray diffractometer RINT TTR-III (manufactured by Rigaku Corporation), by performing a powder X-ray diffraction measurement under the following conditions to obtain a powder X-ray diffraction pattern. The intensity ratio I(Ge)/I(GeTe) between the maximum intensity I(GeTe) of the XRD peak attributable to germanium telluride and the maximum intensity I(Ge) of the XRD peak attributable to germanium metal was calculated from the powder X-ray diffraction pattern.

Measurement apparatus: Powder X-ray diffractometer RINT TTR-III (manufactured by Rigaku Corporation)

X-ray generator: CuKα ray source, voltage: 30 kV, current: 400 mA

Slit: Variable slit (focusing method), slit width: 2 mm

X-ray detector: scintillation counter

Measurement range: diffraction angle 2θ=10° to 90°

Sample preparation: powdered by mortar grinding

Sample stage: special-purpose glass substrate, thickness: 0.2 mm

10. Analysis of Composition Distribution

Analysis of the composition distribution of the compound was performed using a scanning electron microscope JEOL ISM-6701F (manufactured by JEOL Ltd.) fitted with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer Bruker AXS XFlash Detector 5030 (manufactured by Bruker AXS GmbH), and a composition distribution was obtained under the following conditions. The surface of the sample was polished in advance to a mirror surface, and was then subjected to finishing by wet polishing with a lapping film sheet 1 μm (manufactured by 3M Corporation).

SEM: JEOL ISM-6701F (manufactured by JEOL Ltd.), accelerating voltage: 15 kV, current: 20 μA

EDX: XFlash Detector 5030 (manufactured by Bruker AXS GmbH) Analysis software: QUANTAX 200 (manufactured by Bruker AXS GmbH)

11. Analysis of Crystal Domains

Analysis of crystal domains was performed using a transmission electron microscope JEOL JEM2800 (manufactured by JEOL Ltd.) fitted with an electron probe having a diameter of 1 nm, and a TEM image of a surface corresponding with the ab plane of the R3m structure was obtained using the STEM mode at an accelerating voltage of 200 kV. The sample was appropriately exfoliated in advance, and an ion mill Gatan PIPS (manufactured by Gatan, Inc.) was used to perform finishing at room temperature using an Ar ion beam having an accelerating voltage of 2 kV.

12. Carrier Density

Five-terminal Hall measurement using a physical property measurement system PPMS (manufactured by Quantum Design, Inc.) and a special-purpose DC resistance sample pack was used for measurement of the carrier density p[cm⁻³]. A typical shape for the sample was length: 6 mm×depth: 2 mm×thickness: 0.4 mm.

The Hall measurement was performed by adjusting the sample to a prescribed temperature, and then applying a magnetic field within a range from −5 T to 5 T perpendicularly to the sample surface and measuring the Hall resistance. The Hall coefficient was calculated from the slope of the Hall resistance relative to the magnetic field, and the carrier density was then calculated from the Hall coefficient.

Example 1

In Example 1, a compound containing germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver was obtained via a quenching step (1) and a discharge plasma sintering step (2).

(1) Quenching Step

For raw materials, germanium (manufactured by Furuuchi Chemical Corporation, powder 100 mesh, purity: at least 99.999%), tellurium (manufactured by Osaka Asahi Metal Mfg. Co., Ltd., granular, 6NS-2 Grade), bismuth (manufactured by Osaka Asahi Metal Mfg. Co., Ltd., granular, 6N Grade), copper (manufactured by Kojundo Chemical Laboratory Co., Ltd., powder 850 μm pass, purity: at least 99.999%), antimony (manufactured by Osaka Asahi Metal Mfg. Co., Ltd., granular, 6N Grade S-2), and silver (manufactured by Furuuchi Chemical Corporation, powder 300 mesh, purity: at least 99.99%) were used.

In Example 1, the raw materials were weighed to achieve a composition of the chemical formula Ge_(1+a-b-c-d-e)Bi_(b)Cu_(c)Sb_(d)Ag_(e)Te in which a=0.00, b=0.04, c=0.04, d=0.13 and e=0.13, and a mixture was obtained using an agate mortar. Subsequently, 2.5 g of the mixture was placed in a quartz ampule (inner diameter: 5 mm, outer diameter: 6 mm), and the ampule was sealed under reduced pressure of 3×10⁻⁴ Pa or lower. The quartz ampule was then heated to 950° C. in an electric furnace, and the mixture was melted. The temperature was raised to 950° C. at a rate of 5° C./minute, and then held at 950° C. for 5 hours.

In the quenching step, the quartz ampule was removed from the 950° C. electric furnace, and immediately immersed in room temperature water. At this time, the mixture inside the quartz ampule was quenched, and solidified rapidly from the melted state to form an ingot. Cooling from the melted state at 950° C. to 100° C. or lower was achieved within one minute. The ingot was then recovered from the quartz ampule.

(2) Discharge Plasma Sintering Step

In the discharge plasma sintering step, a discharge plasma sintering apparatus Doctor Sinter Lab SPS-511S (manufactured by Fuji Electronic Industrial Co., Ltd.) was used. The ingot obtained in the quenching step was powdered by mortar grinding. The powder was then packed in a special-purpose carbon die, and a compound was obtained by performing discharge plasma sintering under the following conditions. The heating was performed for 10 minutes.

Apparatus: Doctor Sinter Lab SPS-511S (manufactured by Fuji Electronic Industrial Co., Ltd.)

Sample: powder 2.5 g

Die: special-purpose carbon die, inner diameter 10 mmø

Atmosphere: argon 0.05 MPa

Pressure: 40 MPa (3.1 kN)

Heating: 550° C., 10 minutes

The composition, carrier density and composition segregation of the compound of Example 1 are shown in Table 1.

(Crystal Structure Analysis)

In a powder X-ray diffraction pattern for the compound of Example 1, only peaks attributable to germanium telluride were observed. No peaks attributable to germanium metal were observed.

(Composition Segregation)

The composition distribution of the compound of Example 1 is shown in FIG. 2. The longest axes of segregation of bismuth, copper, antimony and silver were all less than 0.2 μm.

(Carrier Density)

The carrier density at 10 K in Example 1 was 5.3×10²⁰ cm⁻³.

(Thermoelectric Conversion Characteristics)

The temperature dependence of thermoelectric conversion properties of the compound of Example 1 is shown in FIG. 5. Thermoelectric conversion characteristics of the compound of Example 1 including the power factor and zT are shown in Table 2, and the temperature dependence of the thermoelectric conversion properties is shown in Table 3.

Example 2

With the exception of altering the composition, a compound of Example 2 was obtained via the same quenching step (1) and discharge plasma sintering step (2) as Example 1.

(1) Quenching Step

In Example 2, with the exception that the raw materials were weighed to achieve a composition of the chemical formula Ge_(1+a-b-c-d-e)Bi_(b)Cu_(c)Sb_(d)Ag_(e)Te in which a=0.02, b=0.04, c=0.02, d=0.13 and e=0.13, the same quenching step as Example 1 was performed to obtain an ingot.

(2) Discharge Plasma Sintering Step

With the exception of using the ingot of Example 2, the same discharge plasma sintering step as Example 1 was performed, thus obtaining a compound.

The composition, carrier density and composition segregation of the compound of Example 2 are shown in Table 1.

(Crystal Structure Analysis)

In a powder X-ray diffraction pattern for the compound of Example 2, only peaks attributable to germanium telluride were observed. No peaks attributable to germanium metal were observed.

(Composition Segregation)

The composition distribution of the compound of Example 2 is shown in FIG. 3. The longest axes of segregation of bismuth, copper, antimony and silver were all less than 0.2 μm.

(Carrier Density)

The carrier density at 10 K in Example 2 was 4.7×10²⁰ cm⁻³.

(Thermoelectric Conversion Characteristics)

The temperature dependence of thermoelectric conversion properties of the compound of Example 2 is shown in FIG. 5. Thermoelectric conversion characteristics of the compound of Example 2 including the power factor and zT are shown in Table 2, and the temperature dependence of the thermoelectric conversion properties is shown in Table 3.

Comparative Example 1

In Comparative Example 1, a compound containing germanium, tellurium, antimony and silver was obtained by performing the same quenching step (1) and discharge plasma sintering step (2) as Example 1. Comparative Example 1 differs from Examples 1 and 2 in that no bismuth or copper was included in the composition.

(1) Quenching Step

In Comparative Example 1, with the exception of using a composition of the chemical formula Ge_(1+a-b-c-d-e)Bi_(b)Cu_(c)Sb_(d)Ag_(e)Te in which a=0.00, b=0.00, c=0.00, d=0.13 and e=0.13, the same quenching step as Example 1 was performed to obtain an ingot.

(2) Discharge Plasma Sintering Step

With the exception of using the ingot of Comparative Example 1, the same discharge plasma sintering step as Example 1 was performed, thus obtaining a compound.

The composition, carrier density and composition segregation of the compound of Comparative Example 1 are shown in Table 1.

(Crystal Structure Analysis)

In a powder X-ray diffraction pattern for the compound of Comparative Example 1, only peaks attributable to germanium telluride were observed. No peaks attributable to germanium metal were observed.

(Composition Segregation)

The composition distribution of the compound of Comparative Example 1 is shown in FIG. 4. The longest axes of antimony and silver segregation were both less than 0.2 μm.

(Carrier Density)

The carrier density at 10 K in Comparative Example 1 was 1.8×10²¹ cm⁻³.

(Thermoelectric Conversion Characteristics)

The temperature dependence of thermoelectric conversion properties of the compound of Comparative Example 1 is shown in FIG. 5. Thermoelectric conversion characteristics of the compound of Comparative Example 1 including the power factor and zT are shown in Table 2, and the temperature dependence of the thermoelectric conversion properties is shown in Table 3.

The compositions and material properties of the compounds of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1 are summarized in Table 1.

The carrier densities of the compounds containing germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver obtained in Examples 1 and 2 were lower than the carrier density of the compound containing germanium, tellurium, antimony and silver obtained in Comparative Example 1.

The composition segregation in each of the compounds of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1 was less than 0.2 μm for bismuth, copper, antimony and silver. In the powder X-ray diffraction patterns of the compounds of Example1 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1, only peaks attributable to germanium telluride were observed, and no peaks attributable to germanium metal were observed.

The thermoelectric conversion characteristics including the power factor and zT for the compounds of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1 are compared in FIG. 5, and summarized in Table 2.

The power factor and zT values for the Example 1 were higher than those of Comparative Example 1 in a range from 25° C. to 500° C. The temperature dependence of the thermoelectric conversion characteristics (power factor and zT) for Example 1 was smaller than that for Comparative Example 1. In other words, in Example 1, a compound was obtained which not only exhibited comparatively high thermoelectric conversion characteristics at high temperatures, but because the temperature dependence was small, also had high thermoelectric conversion characteristics at low temperatures.

The power factor of Example 2 exhibited a higher value than that of Comparative Example 1 in a range from 25° C. to 350° C., and in a range from 350° C. to 500° C., the power factor values for Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 were substantially equal. The zT value of Example 2 was higher than that of Comparative Example 1 in a range from 25° C. to 500° C. The temperature dependence of the thermoelectric conversion characteristics (power factor and zT) for Example 2 was smaller than that for Comparative Example 1. In other words, in Example 2, a compound was obtained which not only exhibited comparatively high thermoelectric conversion characteristics at high temperatures, but because the temperature dependence was small, also had high thermoelectric conversion characteristics at low temperatures.

TABLE 1 Ge_(1+a−b−c−d−e)Bi_(b)Cu_(c)Sb_(d)Ag_(e)Te Carrier density Composition segregation [μm] No. a b c d e [cm⁻³] Bi Cu Sb Ag Example 1 0.00 0.04 0.04 0.13 0.13 5.3 × 10²⁰ <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 Example 2 0.02 0.04 0.02 0.13 0.13 4.7 × 10²⁰ <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 Comparative 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.13 0.13 1.8 × 10²¹ — — <0.2 <0.2 Example 1

TABLE 2 Power factor zT [μW/(cmK²)] [—] 200° 300° 400° 500° 200° 300° 400° 500° No. C. C. C. C. C. C. C. C. Example 1 21 26 26 27 0.83 1.44 1.32 1.60 Example 2 20 24 25 24 0.76 1.13 1.38 1.52 Comparative 17 23 26 26 0.46 0.77 1.14 1.35 Example 1

TABLE 3 Power factor zT P.F.(500° C.)/ zT(500° C.)/ P.F.(300° C.) zT(300° C.) Example 1 1.03 1.11 Example 2 1.00 1.36 Comparative Example 1 1.13 1.75

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The compound of the present invention exhibits excellent thermoelectric conversion characteristics even in the high-temperature region near 500° C., and can therefore be applied in various fields, including vehicle-mounted applications.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   11: Thermoelectric conversion element -   12: p-type thermoelectric conversion element -   13: n-type thermoelectric conversion element -   14: Metal electrode -   15: First metal electrode -   16: Second metal electrode -   17: Third metal electrode -   18: Insulating plate -   19: Insulator -   20: Thermoelectric conversion module -   21: Thermoelectric conversion device -   21′: Thermoelectric conversion device -   31: Lead wire -   32: Lead wire -   41: Heat source -   42: Heat radiating plate -   43: Electrode (negative electrode) -   44: Electrode (positive electrode) -   43′: Electrode (negative electrode) -   44′: Electrode (positive electrode) -   45: External load 

1. A compound comprising at least germanium, tellurium, bismuth, copper, antimony and silver as constituent elements.
 2. The compound according to claim 1, having a carrier density of not more than 1.0×10²¹ cm⁻³.
 3. The compound according to claim 1, represented by a chemical formula Ge_(1+a-b-c-d-e)Bi_(b)Cu_(c)Sb_(d)Ag_(e)Te (wherein −0.05≤a≤0.10, 0≤b≤0.10, 0≤c≤0.10, 0≤d≤0.20, and 0≤e≤0.20).
 4. The compound according to claim 1, wherein an intensity ratio I(Ge)/I(GeTe) between a maximum intensity I(GeTe) of an XRD peak attributable to germanium telluride and a maximum intensity I(Ge) of an XRD peak attributable to germanium metal is not more than 0.025.
 5. The compound according to claim 1, wherein a longest axis of bismuth, copper, antimony or silver, which are ubiquitous within the compound, is less than 2.0 μm.
 6. A thermoelectric conversion material comprising the compound according to claim
 1. 